4 On Your Side follows up on nuisance lot

Posted at: 08/05/2013 6:32 PM
By: Joseph Lynch, KOB Eyewitness News 4

4 On Your Side reported last week about a vacant lot in a southeast Albuquerque attracting trouble to the neighborhood. People had set up a little camp there, and the area was littered with trash and drug evidence. After our story, city officials said the owner agreed to clean the mess up out of his lot. KOB went back out Monday to check on the progress, but the property owner wasn't happy to see our photographer.

Even though the property owner wasn't happy about KOB being there, city officials said they're happy to see the makeshift camp that was there last week gone. The property owner has even chopped down a dead tree that was concerning neighbors. Joe Martinez of the City's Safe City Strike Force said he doesn't expect the property to be a problem much longer.

"Mr. Gallanter is also in the process of selling this property. It should be sold here relatively quickly. As part of his due diligence, he's a property owner. His property has become a nuisance for the surrounding properties."

Neighbors also told KOB a nearby bus stop attracts trouble. The Albuquerque Police Department said just because the camp is gone doesn't mean APD officers won't be hanging around, according to LT. Fernando Aragon.

"Not only will they be able to see bike patrols focus further south, but there will also be special investigations. You know they like to hit this area as well, and you don't see them out as much because they're undercover."

If you know of a problem property in Albuquerque, officials want you to call 311 so they can put property owners on notice.